Balloon launching apparatuses

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/182,112 filed Jun. 19, 2015, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Computing devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, tabletcomputers, cellular phones, and countless types of Internet-capabledevices are increasingly prevalent in numerous aspects of modem life. Assuch, the demand for data connectivity via the Internet, cellular datanetworks, and other such networks, is growing. However, there are manyareas of the world where data connectivity is still unavailable, or ifavailable, is unreliable and/or costly. Accordingly, additional networkinfrastructure is desirable.

Some systems may provide network access via a balloon network operatingin the stratosphere. Because of the various forces experienced by theseballoons during deployment and operation, there is a balancing of needsbetween flexibility and stability of materials. The balloons may be madeof an envelope material configured in sections or lobes to create a“pumpkin” or lobed balloon. The lobes are supported by a plurality oftendons.

Before a balloon can be deployed, the balloon envelope must be inflatedwith lighter than air lift gases, such as helium, hydrogen or othertypes of gases. However, during inflation of the envelope, variousenvironmental forces can cause damage to components of the balloonbefore it is deployed. Furthermore, as the balloon transitions toflight, these various forces can also possibly produce unpredictableresults in the flight path of the balloon.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are advantageous for launchinghigh-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system isprovided. The balloon includes a balloon envelope, a payload attached tothe balloon envelope, and a launching projection. The system includes areleasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottomof the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged totemporarily hold the balloon envelope. The system also includes apayload positioning assembly configured to position the payload duringlaunch of the balloon. The payload positioning assembly including amember configured to attach to the launching projection and maintain theposition of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasablerestraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.

In one example, the system also includes the balloon, and the launchingprojection is a projection in a cable that connects the balloon envelopeto the payload. In another example, the system also includes theballoon, and the launching projection is a portion of a plate located atthe base of the balloon envelope. The plate has one or more tendonswhich extend along a portion of the balloon envelope in order to providesupport to the balloon envelope when inflated. In another example, thesystem also includes the balloon and the launching projection is aportion of the payload. In another example, the payload positioningassembly includes a first arm attached to the member, and the first armis configured to move away from the launching projection when thelaunching projection is released from the member. In another example,the payload positioning assembly includes a second arm attached to themember. The second arm and first arm are configured to attach to themember by a clamping force. The second arm is configured to move awayfrom the launching projection and the first arm when the launchingprojection is released from the member. In another example, the memberis configured to release the launching projection when the balloonenvelope causes a certain amount of force on the member.

In another example, the member includes a switch. This switch isconfigured to release the launching projection from the member when theballoon envelope causes a certain amount of force on the switch andactivates the switch. In this example, the payload positioning assemblyincludes a first arm attached to the member, and the switch isconfigured to move the first arm away from the launching projection whenthe balloon envelope activates the switch.

In another example, the member is configured to release the launchingprojection after the releasable restraint is released from holding theballoon envelope and the released balloon envelope pulls the launchingprojection into a certain angle relative to the member. In this example,the payload positioning assembly includes a first arm attached to themember, and the first arm is configured to move away from the launchingprojection when the launching projection is released from the member. Inanother example, the member includes a switch. This switch is configuredto release the launching projection from the member when the launchingprojection activates the switch. In this example, the payloadpositioning assembly includes a first arm attached to the member, andthe switch is configured to move the first arm away from the launchingprojection when the launching projection activates the switch.

In another example, the launching projection forms at least a portion ofa sphere. In another example, the member is configured with an openingfor receiving the launching projection and a seat for holding thelaunching projection. The seat is configured to allow the launchingprojection to rotate relative the seat and move through the opening andaway from the member after the releasable restraint is released fromholding the balloon envelope. In this example, the payload positioningassembly includes a first arm attached to the member, and the first armis configured to move away from the launching projection when thelaunching projection moves through the opening. In another example, thesystem also includes the balloon.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of launching aballoon having a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloonenvelope, and a launching projection. The method includes attaching apayload positioning assembly to the launching projection in order tomaintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while areleasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope. Thereleasable restraint is attached to the balloon between an apex andbottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is alsoarranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope during inflation ofthe balloon envelope. The method also includes inflating the balloonenvelope with lift gas, releasing the releasable restraint from theballoon envelope, and after releasing the releasable restraint,launching the balloon by releasing the payload positioning assembly fromthe launching projection.

In one example, the payload positioning assembly is released when theinflated balloon envelope causes a certain amount of force on thepayload positioning assembly. In another example, the payloadpositioning assembly further includes at least one arm, and the methodalso includes when the payload positioning assembly is released from thelaunching projection, moving the arm away from the payload and theballoon envelope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a system in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an example of a balloon in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example of a balloon and releasable restraint in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another example of a balloon and releasable restraint inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a further example of a balloon and releasable restraint inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are an example of a payload positioning assembly and aballoon in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8-10 are views of an example payload positioning assembly andportions of a balloon in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 11-13 are views of a further example payload positioning assemblyin accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views of a payload positioning assembly and portionsof a balloon in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 16-18 are an example of a portion of a balloon being released froma payload positioning assembly in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 19 is an example of a horizontal payload loading condition inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is an example of a vertical payload loading condition inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram depicting an example of a method in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be appreciatedwhen considered with reference to the following description ofembodiments and accompanying figures. The same reference numbers indifferent drawings may identify the same or similar elements.Furthermore, the following description is not limiting; the scope of thepresent technology is defined by the appended claims and equivalents.While certain processes in accordance with example embodiments are shownin the figures as occurring in a linear fashion, this is not arequirement unless expressly stated herein. Different processes may beperformed in a different order or concurrently. Steps may also be addedor omitted unless otherwise stated.

The present disclosure generally relates to providing techniques forlaunching high-altitude balloons such as those used in communicationnetworks shown in FIG. 1. In some situations, these communicationnetworks may include hundreds or thousands of balloons that are deployedin the stratosphere at the same time. Each balloon may carry a payloadwhich may include various components such as electrical equipmentnecessary for such networks to operate. During launch, these payloadcomponents may be pulled into the air by a rising balloon. When thepayload initially “takes flight,” there is some danger of the payloadcolliding with launch equipment and causing damage to the payloadcomponent as well as the launch equipment. Aspects of the featuresdescribed below, may provide a launch assembly that automaticallypositions the payload during launch. By doing so, this may significantlyreduce the likelihood of damage to the payload and launch equipment.

In a typical launch situation, an envelope portion of a balloon issecured to a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between anapex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint isarranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. For example, therestraint may be configured to have a sufficient weight to keep theballoon in place while it is being prepared for deployment. To deploythe balloon, the balloon envelope must be filled with lift gas. When theballoon envelope has been inflated with the lift gas to a predeterminedsize, the releasable restraint may be released in order to launch theballoon.

In order to protect the payload when a balloon is launched, a payloadpositioning assembly may be used. The assembly may position or maintainthe position of the payload until the releasable restraint has beenreleased and the balloon envelope has reached a certain height orlocation relative to the payload where the payload is ready to bereleased. In one example, the payload positioning assembly may beconfigured attach onto a projection located between the balloon envelopeand the payload.

In one embodiment, the assembly includes two arms having end portionswhich are configured to clamp onto the bottom plate. As the balloonrises, the arms may be configured to automatically or passively releasethe base plate. For example, when the upward force on the clampmechanism from the balloon reaches a certain amount, the assembly may beconfigured to release the base plate. In another example, an operatormay manually activate a switch to release the clamp mechanism when theballoon envelope is in a desired position relative to the clampmechanism. Once released, the end portions of the two arms may beconfigured to fall away from the balloon and payload. Thus, the armswould not interfere with the rising payload during launch.

Again, rather than clamping onto the base plate, the end portions may beconfigured to clamp onto another type projection. The projection may bea part of the payload or a projection on a cable or other structureconnecting the base plate to the payload. As with the above example,once the balloon envelope is in a desired position, the clamp mechanismmay be configured to automatically or manually release the projectionand fall away from the balloon and payload.

In another alternative, the arms of the clamp may be joined at one end.The end portions of the arms may be configured to clamp onto the baseplate or other projection. Again, the projection may be released when acertain amount of pulling force from the balloon on the projection isreached. At this point, the projection may force open the end portionsof the clamp and release the projection. Alternatively, the certainamount of pulling force may activate a switch at one or both of the endportions which releases the projection. In yet another alternative, aswitch may be activated remotely by an operator when the balloon is inthe desired position.

In another embodiment, rather than a clamp having movable arms, a launchassembly having a fixed claw may be used. In this example, the claw mayinclude an opening for receiving a projection. Again, the projection maybe a part of the payload, a projection on the structure connecting thebase plate to the payload, or incorporated into the base plate. Onceplaced in the opening, the projection may sit in an open u-shaped base.During launch, the projection may be configured to slide and/or rotatealong the u-shaped base until the projection has reached a predeterminedangle relative to the claw and a certain amount of pulling force fromthe balloon on the projection. At this point, the projection may slideout of the u-shaped base and the claw, thereby releasing the projection.This allows for the payload to remain in a given position until thepayload can be launched in a specific direction, thereby preventing theballoon from pulling the payload back into the launch assembly.

In some examples, once the projection is released from the claw, thelaunch assembly can be configured to retract, swing, lower, or otherwisefall away from the balloon and the payload. This may further reduce thelikelihood of damage to the payload. The trigger for causing theassembly to fall away may include a pressure sensitive switch on theu-shaped base which is activated by the projection when it reaches apredetermined angle as the projection rotates along the u-shaped base.In another example, the trigger may include a pressure sensitive switchon the claw that is activated when there is a predetermined force ofpulling force on the claw by the balloon. Alternatively, a switch may beactivated manually by an operator which causes the launch assembly tofall away at the desired time.

The features described herein may provide for a high degree of controlof the positioning and release of a payload while on the ground andduring the critical moments of launch. Such features can support bothvertical and horizontal payload loading conditions. By utilizing minimalor no electronic parts, the launch assemblies described herein may beboth cost effective and reusable. In addition, at least some of theexamples provide for retraction of the launch apparatus in order toreduce the likelihood of damage to the payload and payload componentsduring launch.

Example System

FIG. 1 depicts an example system 100 in which a balloon as describedabove may be used. This example should not be considered as limiting thescope of the disclosure or usefulness of the features of the presentdisclosure. For example, the techniques described herein can be employedon various types of standalone balloons or balloons used with othertypes of systems. In this example, system 100 may be considered a“balloon network.” the system 100 includes a plurality of devices, suchas balloons 102A-F, ground base stations 106 and 112 and links 104, 108,110 and 114 that are used to facilitate intra-balloon communications aswell as communications between the base stations and the balloons. Oneexample of a balloon is discussed in greater detail below with referenceto FIG. 2.

Example Balloon

FIG. 2 is an example balloon 200, which may represent any of theballoons of balloon network 100. As shown, the balloon 200 includes anenvelope 210, a payload 220 and a plurality of tendons 230, 240 and 250attached to the envelope 210.

The balloon envelope 210 may take various forms. In one instance, theballoon envelope 210 may be constructed from materials such aspolyethylene that do not hold much load while the balloon 200 isfloating in the air during flight. Additionally, or alternatively, someor all of envelope 210 may be constructed from a highly flexible latexmaterial or rubber material such as chloroprene. Other materials orcombinations thereof may also be employed. Further, the shape and sizeof the envelope 210 may vary depending upon the particularimplementation. Additionally, the envelope 210 may be filled withvarious gases or mixtures thereof, such as helium, hydrogen or any otherlighter-than-air gas. The envelope 210 is thus arranged to have anassociated upward buoyancy force during deployment of the payload 220.

The payload 220 of balloon 200 may be affixed to the envelope by aconnection 260 such as a cable. The payload 220 may include a computersystem (not shown), having one or more processors and on-board datastorage. The payload 220 may also include various other types ofequipment and systems (not shown) to provide a number of differentfunctions. For example, the payload 220 may include an opticalcommunication system, a navigation system, a positioning system, alighting system, an altitude control system and a power supply to supplypower to various components of balloon 200.

In view of the goal of making the balloon envelope 210 as lightweight aspossible, it may be comprised of a plurality of envelope lobes or goresthat have a thin film, such as polyethylene or polyethyleneterephthalate, which is lightweight, yet has suitable strengthproperties for use as a balloon envelope. In this example, balloonenvelope 210 is comprised of envelope gores 210A-210D.

Pressurized lift gas within the balloon envelope 210 may cause a forceor load to be applied to the balloon 200. In that regard, the tendons230-250 provide strength to the balloon 200 to carry the load created bythe pressurized gas within the balloon envelope 210. In some examples, acage of tendons (not shown) may be created using multiple tendons thatare attached vertically and horizontally. Each tendon may be formed as afiber load tape that is adhered to a respective envelope gore.Alternately, a tubular sleeve may be adhered to the respective envelopeswith the tendon positioned within the tubular sleeve. Top ends of thetendons 230, 240 and 250 may be coupled together using an apparatus,such as top plate 201 positioned at the apex of balloon envelope 210.Bottom ends of the tendons 230, 240 and 250 may also be connected to oneanother. For example, a corresponding apparatus, e.g., base plate 202,may be disposed at a base or bottom of the balloon envelope 210. The topplate 201 at the apex may be the same size and shape as and base plate202 at the bottom of the balloon envelope. Both plates may includecorresponding components for attaching the tendons 230, 240 and 250 tothe balloon envelope 210.

Example Assembly

As noted above, one aspect of the present technology provides anautomated assembly for launching high-altitude balloons, such as balloon200 from FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an example of an assembly 300. Here, aperspective view of the assembly 300 is shown. In this example, theassembly 300 includes a releasable restraint 304 attached to the balloon200 between an apex and bottom of balloon envelope 210. The releasablerestraint 304 is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope, forexample, on to an upper surface of a platform until the balloon 200 isready for deployment.

Releasable restraint 304 is configured to temporarily hold the balloonenvelope 210 in place while the balloon 200 is being prepared forlaunch. For example, as shown in example 300 of FIG. 3, the releasablerestraint 304 may be attached to the balloon 200 between an apex andbottom of the balloon envelope 210 effectively sectioning the envelopeinto upper and lower portions 310 and 312. The releasable restraint 304may be configured to limit an amount of movement of the balloon envelope210 and thereby prevent the envelope from being damaged by oncomingwinds before it is able to take flight. In this regard, the releasablerestraint 304 may be of a sufficient weight to limit movement of theballoon envelope 210 in certain directions. This releasable restraint304 may be attached to a device, such as a draw string or other types ofsimilar devices, which can be manually and/or automatically retracted inorder to detach the releasable restraint 304 from the balloon 200.

To prepare the balloon 200 for flight, the balloon envelope 210 isinflated with lift gas. For example, a fill tube (not shown) attached tothe balloon envelope 210 can be coupled to a lift gas fill source (notshown), which can be used to inflate the balloon 200. As the balloonenvelope 210 is inflated, the upper portion 310 of the envelope mayreach a predetermined size that may cause this upper portion 310 to riseupward. Thereupon, the releasable restraint 304 may be configured torelease the balloon components so that the balloon 200 can move furtherinto the air.

In order to protect the payload while the balloon is being inflated andrising into the air, a payload positioning assembly may be used. Asnoted above, the payload positioning assembly may position or maintainthe position of the payload until the releasable restraint has beenreleased and the balloon envelope has reached a certain height orlocation relative to the payload. At this certain height, the payloadmay be ready to be released by the payload positioning assembly.

In one example, the payload positioning assembly may be configuredattach onto a projection of the balloon. This projection may bepositioned on some portion of the balloon 200, for example, between theballoon envelope 210 and the payload 220. For instance, a projection 306may include, be incorporated into, or be attached to the base plate 202as shown in FIG. 3. In another example, a projection 406 may beincorporated into the incorporated onto the connection 260 such that theprojection is located between the payload 220 and the lower portion 312of the envelope 210 as shown in example 400 of FIG. 4. In a furtherexample, a projection 506 may be incorporated into the payload 220 asshown in example 500 of FIG. 5. Any of these projections 306, 406, and506 may be formed into a certain shape, such as a sphere or otherprojection to which the payload positioning assembly can attach.

FIG. 6 an example 600 of a payload positioning assembly 610 and balloon200. In this example, the assembly 610 includes two arms 620, 622 havingend portions 630, 632 which are configured to clamp onto the base plate202.

In the example 600 of FIG. 6, balloon 200 is shown as partiallyinflated, thus, balloon envelope 210 is in the process of risingupwardly. At a certain point, such as when the releasable restraint hasbeen released and the balloon is fully inflated and free to move away,the arms 620, 622 may be configured to automatically or passivelyrelease the base plate 202. For example, when the upward force on theclamp mechanism from the rising balloon reaches a certain amount, theclamping force of the arms on the base plate 202 may be overcome. Atthis point, the assembly 610 may be configured to release the base plateor rather, the end portions 630, 632 of the arms 620, 622 may releasethe base plate 202.

Alternatively, the assembly 610 may include a switch that is activatedwhen the upward force on the clamp mechanism from the rising balloonreaches a certain amount. In this case, rather than “breaking” theclamping force of the end portions 630, 632, the certain amount of forcemay simply activate the switch which, in turn, releases the end portions630, 632 from the base plate 202.

In yet another example, rather than an automatic release of the baseplate 202, an operator may manually activate a switch to release theclamp mechanism. For example, when the balloon envelope is in a desiredposition relative to the clamp mechanism, an operator may simplyactivate the switch to cause the assembly 610 to release the base plate202.

Once released, either automatically or manually as described above, theend portions 630, 632 may be configured to fall away from the balloonand payload. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, once the end portions 630,632 release the base plate 202, the arms 620, 622 fall away from thebase plate 202. In this example, the arms 620 and 622 rotate around anaxis in the direction of arrows 710 and 712, respectively. away from thebase plate 202, thereby falling away from the balloon envelope, theconnection 206 and the payload 220. Because of this falling away action,the arms 620, 622 and end portions 630, 632 would not interfere with thepayload as it begins to rise in the direction of arrows 720 and 722 withthe balloon 200.

Again, rather than clamping onto the base plate, the end portions 630,632 may be configured to clamp onto another type projection. Forexample, the end portions 630, 632 may be configured to clamp ontoprojection 406 of the connection 206 (FIG. 4) or the projection 506 ofthe payload 220 (FIG. 5). As with the above example, once the balloonenvelope is in a desired position, the clamp mechanism may be configuredto automatically or manually release either projection 406 or 506 andfall away from the balloon envelope 210, connection 260, and payload220.

In another alternative, the arms of the clamp may be joined at one end.For example, FIG. 8 is an example 800 of a top down view of a payloadpositioning assembly 810, and FIG. 9 is an example 900 of across-sectional side view of the assembly 810 through line A-A of FIG.8. As with assembly 610, assembly 810 includes two arms 820, 822 havingend portions 830, 830 configured to clamp onto a projection 840. In thisexample, the projection 840 may include projection 306, projection 406,or projection 506. In addition, as noted above, projection 840 may be aspherical projection. Depending on the location of the projection 840relative to the balloon, feature 850 may include one of the balloonenvelope 210 (or lower portion 312) or the connection 260, while thefeature 860 may include one of the connection 260 or the payload 220.

As with assembly 610, assembly 810 may be configured to release theprojection 810 when a certain amount of pulling force from the balloon.This pulling force may cause the projection to force open the endportions of the clamp and release the projection. Alternatively, thecertain amount of pulling force may activate a switch at one or both ofthe end portions which releases the projection. In yet anotheralternative, a switch may be activated remotely by an operator when theballoon is in the desired position.

FIG. 10 is an example 1000 of a top down view of assembly 810 when thearms 820, 822 have released the projection 840. As with assembly 610,once released, either automatically or manually as described above, theend portions 830, 832 may be configured to fall away from the balloonand payload. In this example, the arms 820 and 822 rotate around an axisin the direction of arrows 1010 and 1012, respectively, away from theprojection 840. In this regard, the arms 820, 822 and end portions 830,832 would not interfere with the balloon envelope 210, connection 260,and payload 220 as the balloon begins to rise.

In another embodiment, rather than a clamp having movable arms, apayload launch assembly having a fixed claw may be used. FIGS. 11-13include examples of a payload launch assembly 1110 having a fixed claw1120. In other words, the claw itself does not require movable parts.FIG. 11 is a side view of the assembly 1110 depicting the claw 1120connected to a movable arm 1130. The claw includes an opening 1140having a u-shaped base 1150 configured to receive and temporarily hold aprojection (not shown). FIG. 12 is a top down view of the assembly 1110and FIG. 13 is another side view of the assembly looking towards theopening 1140.

Prior to filling the balloon envelope with lift gas, as shown in FIG. 14(corresponding to the view of FIG. 11) and FIG. 15 (corresponding to theview of FIG. 13), a projection 1410, which may correspond to any ofprojection 306, 406, or 506, may be placed in the assembly 1110. In oneexample, the projection. The projection 1410 may be moved through theopening 1130 and positioned in the u-shaped base 1150. As noted above,the u-shaped base 1150 may be configured to temporarily hold theprojection 1410 in the claw 1120 prior to launching the balloon 200.Depending on the location of the projection 1410 relative to theballoon, feature 1420 may include one of the balloon envelope 210 (orlower portion 312) or the connection 260, while the feature 1430 mayinclude one of the connection 260 or the payload 220.

When the balloon is launched, the claw 1120 may be configured to releasethe projection 1410. FIGS. 16-18 are an example of a release of theprojection 1410 form the claw 1120. In this example, once the balloonenvelope 210 is fully inflated and the releasable restraint 304 isreleased, the balloon envelope may begin to rise. The movement of theballoon envelope 210 may pull the projection in an upward and outwarddirection. In other words, the projection may begin to rotate in thedirection of arrows 1610, 1620 relative to the claw 1120. As thisoccurs, the projection 1410 may slide and/or rotate along the u-shapedbase 1150 until the projection has reached a predetermined anglerelative to the claw and a certain amount of pulling force from theballoon on the projection as shown in FIG. 17. At this point, theprojection may move through the opening 1140, thereby releasing theprojection from the claw 1120 as shown in FIG. 18. The projection 1410and balloon 200 are then free to continue to rise in the direction ofarrow 1810 as the balloon is launched. Thus, the assembly 1110 allowsfor the payload to remain in a given position until the payload can belaunched in a specific direction (defined by the predetermined angle),thereby preventing the balloon from pulling the payload back into thelaunch assembly.

In some examples, once the projection is released from the claw, theassembly 1110 can be configured to retract, swing, lower, or otherwisefall away from the balloon and the payload. For example, arm 1130 may beconfigured to move away from the projection in the direction of arrow1820 in order to further reduce the likelihood of damage to the payload.This movement may be activated automatically by the projection 1410activating a pressure sensitive switch (not shown) on the u-shaped base1150 when the projection reaches a predetermined angle relative to theopening 1140 or the u-shaped base 1150. As an example, thispredetermined angle may range from zero to positive 25 degrees relativeto vertical. In this regard, by adjusting the angle of the claw relativeto the ground, the predetermined angle may also be adjusted. In anotherexample, the trigger may include a pressure sensitive switch on the claw1120 (not shown) that is activated when there is a predetermined forceof pulling force on the claw by the balloon. As an example, this forcemay be in on the order of several hundred pounds. Alternatively, aswitch may be activated manually by an operator which causes the launchassembly to fall away at the desired time.

The assemblies discussed above can support both vertical and horizontalpayload loading conditions. FIG. 19 is an example 1900 of a horizontalpayload loading condition. In this example, both the balloon envelope210 and the payload 220 of balloon 200 are positioned on a platform1910. In this example, an assembly 1920 is attached to a projection 1930that is located on the connection 260. Assembly 1920 may correspond toany one of assemblies 610, 810, or 1110.

FIG. 20 is an example 2000 of a vertical payload loading condition. Inthis example, the balloon envelope 210 is positioned on a platform 2010,while the payload 220 is positioned below the platform 2010. In thisexample, an assembly 2020 is attached to a projection 2030 that islocated on the connection 260. A similar payload loading condition mayalso be achieved if the assembly 2020 were attached to a projection thatwas located on the payload 220. In addition, in the example 2000 1920may correspond to any one of assemblies 610, 810, or 1110.

Example Flow Diagram

To better aid in understanding an example of some of the aspectsdescribed above, reference is now made to FIG. 21, which illustrates aflow diagram 2100 depicting a method of launching a balloon having aballoon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope, and alaunching projection. As previously discussed, the following operationsdo not have to be performed in the precise order described below.Rather, as mentioned above, various operations can be handled in adifferent order or simultaneously, and operations may be added oromitted.

At block 2110, a payload positioning assembly to a launching projectionin order to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloonwhile a releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloonenvelope. The releasable restraint is attached to the balloon between anapex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint isarranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope during inflation ofthe balloon envelope. The balloon envelope is then inflated with liftgas at block 2120. The releasable restraint is released from the balloonenvelope at block 2130. After releasing the releasable restraint, theballoon is launched by releasing the payload positioning assembly fromthe launching projection at block 2134. As noted in the various examplesabove, the payload positioning assembly can be released manually orautomatically. In addition, the payload positioning assembly may alsoinclude at least one arm, such that when the payload positioningassembly is released from the launching projection, moving the arm awayfrom the payload and the balloon envelope.

Most of the foregoing alternative examples are not mutually exclusive,but may be implemented in various combinations to achieve uniqueadvantages. As these and other variations and combinations of thefeatures discussed above can be utilized without departing from thesubject matter defined by the claims, the foregoing description of theembodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way oflimitation of the subject matter defined by the claims. As an example,the preceding operations do not have to be performed in the preciseorder described above. Rather, various steps can be handled in adifferent order or simultaneously. Steps can also be omitted unlessotherwise stated. In addition, the provision of the examples describedherein, as well as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and thelike, should not be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of theclaims to the specific examples; rather, the examples are intended toillustrate only one of many possible embodiments. Further, the samereference numbers in different drawings can identify the same or similarelements.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for launching a balloon having aballoon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope, and alaunching projection, the system comprising: a releasable restraintattached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloonenvelope, the releasable restraint being arranged to temporarily holdthe balloon envelope; and a payload positioning assembly configured toposition the payload during launch of the balloon, the payloadpositioning assembly including a member configured to attach to thelaunching projection and maintain the position of the payload relativeto the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding theballoon envelope wherein the member is configured with an opening forreceiving the launching projection and a seat for holding the launchingprojection, the seat being configured to allow the launching projectionto rotate relative the seat and move through the opening and away fromthe member after the releasable restraint is released from holding theballoon envelope.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising theballoon, and wherein the launching projection is a projection in a cablethat connects the balloon envelope to the payload.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising the balloon, and wherein the launchingprojection is a portion of a plate located at a base of the balloonenvelope, the plate having one or more tendons which extend along aportion of the balloon envelope in order to provide support to theballoon envelope when inflated.
 4. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising the balloon, and wherein the launching projection is aportion of the payload.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the payloadpositioning assembly includes a first arm attached to the member, andthe first arm is configured to move away from the launching projectionwhen the launching projection is released from the member.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the payload positioning assembly includes a secondarm attached to the member, the second arm and first arm beingconfigured to attach to the member by a clamping force, and the secondarm is configured to move away from the launching projection and thefirst arm when the launching projection is released from the member. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the member is configured to release thelaunching projection when the balloon envelope causes a certain amountof force on the member.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the seatincludes a switch, the switch being configured to release the launchingprojection from the member when rotation of the projection reaches apredetermined angle relative to the opening or relative to the seat. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the payload positioning assembly includesa first arm attached to the member, and the switch is configured to movethe first arm away from the launching projection when the balloonenvelope activates the switch.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein themember is configured to release the launching projection after thereleasable restraint is released from holding the balloon envelope andthe released balloon envelope pulls the launching projection into acertain angle relative to the member.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the payload positioning assembly includes a first arm attachedto the member, and the first arm is configured to move away from thelaunching projection when the launching projection is released from themember.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the member includes a switch,the switch being configured to release the launching projection from themember when the launching projection activates the switch.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the payload positioning assembly includes afirst arm attached to the member, and the switch is configured to movethe first arm away from the launching projection when the launchingprojection activates the switch.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein thelaunching projection forms at least a portion of a sphere.
 15. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the payload positioning assembly includes afirst arm attached to the member, and the first arm is configured tomove away from the launching projection when the launching projectionmoves through the opening.
 16. The system of claim 1, further comprisingthe balloon.
 17. A method of launching a balloon having a balloonenvelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope, and a launchingprojection, the method comprising: attaching a payload positioningassembly to the launching projection by positioning the payloadpositioning assembly through an opening in the launching projection andonto a seat for holding the launching projection in order to maintainthe position of the payload relative to the balloon while a releasablerestraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope, the releasablerestraint being attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom ofthe balloon envelope, the releasable restraint being arranged totemporarily hold the balloon envelope during inflation of the balloonenvelope; inflating the balloon envelope with lift gas; releasing thereleasable restraint from the balloon envelope; after the releasablerestraint is released, allowing the launching projection to rotaterelative the seat and move through the opening and away from the member;and after releasing the releasable restraint, launching the balloon byreleasing the payload positioning assembly from the launchingprojection.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the payload positioningassembly is released when the inflated balloon envelope causes a certainamount of force on the payload positioning assembly.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the payload positioning assembly further includes atleast one arm, and the method further comprises when the payloadpositioning assembly is released from the launching projection, movingthe arm away from the payload and the balloon envelope.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein the seat includes a switch and rotation of theprojection reaches a predetermined angle relative to the opening orrelative to the seat activates the switch which allows the protection tomove through the opening and away from the member.